Taking a look at Isa’s website for the first time was a little odd, to say the least. I wasn’t sure if I’d accidentally crossed onto a community noticeboard or a budget website for god knows what. When I eventually found images of food and menu samples, it piqued enough curiosity to walk down to Wythe Avenue and try it for an early drink and dinner.

A board outside was advertising happy hour, but neither of us was entirely sure what that applied to, thanks to no mention on the drinks menu. I guess it was up to us to ask the young girl at the bar what the deal was. It’s always awkward interrupting people that clearly couldn’t be bothered being at work, but we got our question answered and after our second round of drinks she eventually beamed a smile.

Taking a seat at a table after our drinks, our very friendly waiter made us feel right at home. Down to letting us taste a wine before committing to buying the entire bottle. You’ve gotta love that. Complimentary bread came our way with the most delectable whipped butter crusted with grey salt, black pepper, caraway and fennel.

Our waiter rattled off a couple of the nights specials, one of which I needed to try. The lamb offal skewer (8). I kind of wish I ordered two of them. Goat’s cheese & corn polenta and a skewer of kidney, heart, liver, shishito pepper and spring onion. Some chimichurri added even more deliciousness.

Another rustic dish was the grilled pork loin (26). Despite it being a five-bites-and-it’s-gone sized dish, the meat was cooked to perfect pinkness; slumped over an eggplant purée with chermoula, toasted pine nuts and grilled flat-bread.

Cooked in the restaurants wood-fired oven, my mussels (19) with chorizo, garlic and one or two strands of fennel weren’t all that thrilling. At least there was some charred sourdough to mop up the juices.

• Isa
• 348 Wythe Avenue
• Williamsburg 11211
• 347 689 3594
• website
  
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